Centre gets £41,000 to help young carers in Sunderland

A CASH windfall will help young carers tackle some of the challenges they face.

Sunderland Carers’ Centre, in Southwick Road, Sunderland, has been given £41,144 to boost its support and services for unpaid young carers in the city.

It has become among the first good causes to be awarded cash following a partnership between the Carers Trust and the Co-operative Group.

The retail chain’s colleagues, members and customers have raised £6million for the trust since naming it as their charity of the year.

The money has been used to provide breaks, information, advice, support and services for carers aged 14 to 25.

The charity, a network partner of the Carers Trust operating across Wearside – in Houghton, Hetton, Easington Lane and Washington, as well as Sunderland itself – was given the donation as part of the About Time grants programme.

It is funded by the Co-op and developed by the Carers Trust with help from a steering group of young adult carers.

Graham Burt, chief executive officer at the centre, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the support from Carers Trust and the enthusiasm and support shown by staff, members and customers of the Co-operative.

“There are thousands of carers in the area, but most don’t think of themselves as carers or realise the range of services available to help them.

“Young adult carers often take on great responsibilities within their families and, thanks to this grant programme, we can continue to enhance and develop the support and services that these young people need and deserve.”

Iain Hume, regional food operations manager for the Co-op, said: “As a community retailer, it is important to us that we make a positive contribution to the communities in which we trade.

“There are young people in our communities taking on incredible levels of practical and emotional caring responsibilities, often at the expense of their own education and aspirations, and I am extremely proud that the money raised by the Co-operative and its customers is now able to make a real and tangible difference here in local communities.”

Trisha Thompson, senior grants manager at the Carers Trust, said: “We are delighted to see the money raised as a result of our partnership with the Co-op begin to make real differences to the lives of young adult carers.”